Former BAA General Manager Clears Air on Contracts
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, the former General Manager of the Belize Airports Authority, is breaking her silence after two airport security contracts signed during her time at the helm sparked public concern. Critics are questioning whether the companies involved are even capable of handling the job. But Garcia-Ramirez says she had nothing to do with the final decision. She points out that general managers don’t get a vote on the board and adds that she was actually on sick leave when the contracts were signed. In short, she’s saying: don’t pin this one on me.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA
“I think there was a board decision to retender. There was some re-tendering. What I think happened was Christmas I remember getting an email. I was on sick leave. It was the twenty-third. I was of the opinion that it was a bit hasty, but I was not there when the contracts were signed. I was not in office.”
Paul Lopez
“Nor when the decision to award it was taken.”
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
“No I was not. Then when I came back to, I typically do not work between Christmas and New Year. So I would have left between the twenty-third in any case. I was sick. So when it came to me I advised that maybe it would be better for legal counsel to look over the contract, which would be basic and standard procedure. I am unaware if that was done, but when I came back those contracts were signed and on my table. I cannot speak to the process again. Just that they were and I think the person best to answer those questions is the former Chair Ricardo Martin.”
Paul Lopez
“Were you not in a position to raise all hell, amplify your voice so that certain actions recommended by you would have been taken ahead of the signing of the agreements?”
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
“At the time they ended up on my desk the contract had been signed so I don’t know what could have done at that point. But I did document my thoughts and preference for the handling of the contracts.”
She says she was not in a position to do much more because she do not have any voting privileges on the board as a general manager.
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